Gripen E: 7 facts about the fighter aircraft Saab is offering under ‘Make in India’

Sweden's defence major Saab is offering its latest fighter aircraft, the Gripen E, under the 'Make in India' initiative. Gripen E is the next generation jet that Saab unveiled on May 18. Gripen E has significantly improved avionics system when compared to previous versions of the Gripen. Gripen E will meet the demanding operational requirements of the 21st century air forces, claims Saab. We take a look at seven facts about the Gripen E, that is being offered by Saab under Modi government's 'Make in India' initiative. (Saab Photo)

Gripen E has weapons like guided glide bombs, long-range and agile air-to-air missiles and heavy anti-ship armaments. Additionally, the aircraft has an inherent precision strike and stand-off capability, says Saab. (Saab Photo)

The capability to carry more weapons and improved range performance, is possible with a more powerful engine and the ability to carry more fuel, the company says. (Saab Photo)

Gripen E is equipped with a highly integrated and sophisticated sensor suite including an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, Infra Red Search and Track (IRST), Electronic Warfare (EW) suite and datalink technology, which, when combined gives the pilot, and co-operating forces exactly the information needed at all times. (Saab Photo)

The single-seat Gripen E is equipped with a 27 mm Mauser BK27 gun. This can be used in air-to-surface attacks against land and sea targets and is suitable for air policing missions. (Saab Photo)

The Gripen E has a maximum speed of Mach 2 at high altitude. It's 15.2 m in length and 8.6 m in width and its maximum take off weight is 16500 kg. (Saab Photo)

"The Gripen E is a specific configuration of Gripen NG that has been chosen by the Swedish customer. The exact configuration for another customer such as India will depend on discussions with that customer. But yes, we are offering the next generation Gripen to India, under 'Make In India' with transfer of technology," Jan Widerstrom, Country Head and Chairman, Saab India Technologies Private Limited told PTI. (Saab Photo)

Five nations currently operate Gripen: Sweden, South Africa, Czech Republic, Hungary and Thailand. Brazil has ordered Gripen, and it has also been downselected in Slovakia. Besides that, Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) uses Gripen as platform for test pilot training. In 2019, deliveries of the next generation Gripen for Sweden and Brazil will begin. (Saab Photo) - Text inputs from PTI